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Water treatment sludge in the production of red-ceramic bricks: effects on the physico-mechanical properties

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Abstract

Water treatment plants generate sludge, which is mainly composed of inorganic minerals and a reduced fraction of organic matter. Even though the water treatment sludge (WTS) can be classified as non-inert and non-hazardous waste, there exists a clear interest in its potential valorization and reuse in other industrial sectors. This study presents the assessment of WTS, obtained after coagulation, flocculation, and decantation (using polyaluminum chloride coagulant), as raw material for the production of red ceramic bricks. Clay was substituted with sludge in the green mixture in ratios from 0 to 20 wt.%. The extrudability of the plastic mixture was adjusted after evaluating the rheological properties by applying an amplitude sweep test to prismatic bars produced with different sludge and moisture contents. The presence of sludge increases the stiffness of the green mixture, and more water is required for the extrusion of the ceramic products without any superficial or visual defects. The linear shrinkage was within the limits required for ceramic bricks, regardless of the sludge content. The results of the compressive strength and water absorption of the reduced-scale bricks also indicate that the inclusion of up to 20 wt.% of sludge in clay mixture is feasible for the production of red ceramics products.

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Acknowledgements

Authors are grateful for the financial support of São Gabriel Saneamento S.A., as well as Pauluzzi Cerâmicas Santa Maria Ltda. The participation M.B. and T.Z. was sponsored by CAPES, and E.D.R. by the research fellowship PQ 309885/2020-5 by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), as well as L.H.J. The authors also wish to thank and acknowledge to the Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), FATEC (Fundação de Apoio na Tecnologia e Ciência), Laboratory of Magnetism and Magnetic Materials (at UFSM), GEPPASV (Grupo de Estudos e Pesquisas em Pavimentação e Segurança Viária, ANP PETRO 5850.0106353.17.9), LMCC (Laboratorio de Materiais de Construção Civil), Ceramics Materials Institute from the Universidade de Caxias do Sul, as well as LINCE (Laboratório de Inovação em Cimentos Ecoeficientes at UFRGS).

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  1. Department of Structures and Civil Construction, Center of Technology, Federal University of Santa Maria, Santa Maria, (Rio Grande Do Sul), Brazil

    Mariana Bandieira, Tuani Zat, Silvio Lisboa Schuster, Luiz Henrique Justen, Heliton Weide & Erich D. Rodríguez

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  1. Mariana Bandieira
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Bandieira, M., Zat, T., Schuster, S.L. et al. Water treatment sludge in the production of red-ceramic bricks: effects on the physico-mechanical properties. Mater Struct 54, 168 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-021-01764-0

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